About this time a year, I take a few hours or days to declutter. I go through every nook and cranny in my office and my home. What to keep? What to toss? I use a process of asking myself questions and then let my intuition or gut feelings guide me.
Here are the questions I ask…
1 Do I feel better or worse when I think about this? Lots of times we keep things hanging around that make us feel bad about ourselves or our lives and we don’t realize how much negative energy it has.
Obviously, if you get WORSE as an answer, let it go. These items could be things that remind you of difficult relationships, regrets, bad experiences and past mistakes.
2 Do I even like this item? Many of us keep things out of obligation, usually gifts someone has given us. See my story.
If the answer is NO, get rid of it in a loving way. There is someone that would love it and we are keeping it from them if we don’t.
3 Does this fit the new me or define the old me? We evolve and change constantly and as such some of our things no longer serve us.
If we don’t release something that defines the OLD me, we risk remaining stuck in the past.
4 Could I re-acquire this quickly? Information is one of the easiest to recoup, especially from one of our devices or the internet. This means we can eliminate hundreds of items such as maps, books, magazines, CD’s, address books, clocks, office supplies, photo albums, file cabinets, and the list goes on.
If the answer is YES, it will probably save us a lot of time and we’ll have the newest information within reach if we let go of the old methods and data.
5 Will I ever use this or refer to it again? This question is trickier. It takes the ability to tap into your intuition or inner guidance to get an answer.
If the answer is NO, when we actually follow our intuition and toss it, we find out we’ll never miss it.
Clearing the clutter allows us to shed what we no longer need and embrace that which is most important, inspiring or necessary. The positive energy that can be recouped from letting go of the old, worn out and broken can be mind-blowing. Start with small steps and you’ll be surprised to see how much freer and lighter you feel.
If you need help mentally reducing your mess, contact Vickie Champion for a discovery coaching and consulting session.
By Vickie Champion